Cricket:

Key teaching points:

Batting:

General batting KTPS:

• ‘Step, Swing, Drive’
• Watch the ball from Bowler’s release until contact with bat
• Protect wickets at all costs through correct shot selection and stance
• Dominant hand responsible for majority of power while other hand guides direction
and follow through

Stance:
• Stand with back foot perpendicular to crease and front foot on a diagonal
• Knees bent, and upper body slightly crouched over with 35-45-degree angle at hip
• Weight on balls of the feet, placed shoulder width apart
• Head up straight with chin and eye-level parallel and looking towards opposite
stumps
• Solid base of stance with centre of gravity low to the ground for stability

Running:
• Batter on strike calls “no” or “yes” after striking the ball as good communication is
essential for a successful partnership
• Keep body bent and centre of gravity low for efficient movement when running
between creases
• Grip bat with both hands and run with it outstretched and slide bat when close to
crease
• Lean forward and arch back when taking off to increase acceleration whilst taking
large steps
• Grip bat at the end of the handle to maximise reach

Holding the bat:

• Dominant hand positioned at base of the bat’s handle and non-dominant hand
directly above, with fingers spread evenly
• V-shape made by thumb and forefinger with thumb of non-dominant hand
positioned on the leg side of handle
• Bat held with handle anterior and superior to bat’s toe

Front-foot drive:
• Weight is forward on ball and toes of front foot, feet shoulder width apart
• Step, swing and drive are performed in or close to a parallel line with bat finishing
above chest height
• Non-dominant elbow leads the shot with dominant elbow the last body part to pass
the waist
• Shot is performed when ball is short to medium length and moderately central or on
the offside
 • Step into the ball to generate momentum during the swing and follow through to
maximise shot accuracy and power

Back-foot drive:
• Feet positioned shoulder width apart and body in straight position with centre of
gravity higher than usual
• Bat vertical on impact with ball
• Weight placed on back foot, deep in crease
• Back foot drive is ideal full medium to longer pitched balls

Cut-shot:
• Ideal for any delivery short and wide outside off-stump
• Back swing and step towards off side. Base established, weight stays slightly forward
to maximise accuracy of shot
• Arms free and shoulders rotate toward the offside, horizontally as shot is played
from high to low
• Follow through after the ball strike to maximise accuracy and power of shot

Pull-shot:
• Ideal for short deliveries middle of square or slightly leg-side
• Arms must be extended fully, and bat should start high and end low
• Fast footwork is needed to bring the feet back to square before rotating to the leg-
side of the heels of the feet
• Feet and bat should face the direction of strike post-follow through

Cover drive:
• The perfect shot for straight or offside deliveries pitched short to medium
• Batter must step across the line of the ball with the front foot before playing the
shot across the body and toward the covers
• Keep head down while striking the ball to ensure ball does not go high in the air
• Bottom hand should be loose on the handle while top hand is firm without ‘choking’
the bat

Hook-shot:
• This shot is played when batsmen is deep in their crease or ball is delivered short
and down the leg-side
• Arms extended with elbows locked and wrist cocked
• Shot is played late and quickly, moving bat across body and shifting momentum
• Follow through continues on rotational axis to the leg-side

Sweep-shot:
• This shot is usually used for deliveries with length including yorkers
• Bat is horizontal at contact with ball to keep the ball low
• Feet about a meter apart and weight on the front foot and shot is executed
• Centre of gravity close to the group
On-drive:
• Played on square deliveries and medium length
• Step forward and keep front leg and bat parallel as shot and follow through are
completed
• Head down and bat swung towards the on-side
• Shoulders rotate to almost square just before impact

Off-Drive:
• Played on square deliveries and medium length
• Both body and bat must cross line of the ball prior to contact
• Lead and following shoulder become parallel just before impact and weight is
transferred forward into the front food
• Head remains down to keen the ball low and fast across the ground to minimise
chances of being caught out

Reverse sweep:
• Keep head forward over front knee
• Wrist inverted, and bat held almost parallel to the ground
• Used to manipulate fielders and find gaps to maximise run scoring potential
• Arms must be fully extended at time of strike

Bowling:

General KTP
• Step, reach, roll and release
• Straight arm, window and follow through
• Point, step, release towards target
• Fore finger and index finger on top of ball and use seam for grip/spin
• Body side on, shoulder pointing towards target

Off-spin
• Forefinger and index finger medial to seam of ball prior to release to spin ball
• Short angled run up
• Shoulder, wrist and hand externally rotates
• Aim to left hand side of batsmen
• Exaggerate follow through

Leg-spin
• Grip forefinger and index finger on the lateral to the seam on the ball
• Rotate shoulder, wrist and hand internally
• Flick wrist on release to exaggerate spin
• Follow through and transfer weight onto front foot
Pace Bowling
• Long, straight run up
• Use momentum of run to increase speed of delivery
• Follow through post release
• Release ball on 45* angle for optimal trajectory

In-swing Bowling
• Index finger positioned on seam of ball to swing ball in towards off stump
• Momentum transferred onto front foot prior to release
• Run up slightly angles to increase swing
• Ball released slightly to the leg side of the batsmen

Out-swing Bowling
• Ball released slightly to the off side of the batsmen
• Ideally used on left handed batsmen by right handed bowlers
• Released at maximum height of 45*
• Slightly angled run up

Fielding

Underarm Throw
• Step, stretch and swing
• Lean forward and push weight onto front foot prior to release
• Throw ball at low trajectory to minimise time spent in the air
• Look at target before releasing the throw

Overarm Throw
• Step, point, release and follow through
• Generate momentum through stepping forward onto opposite leg to opposite arm
• Follow through to maximum distance and accuracy of throw
• Face the target

Catching
• Track, reach and give
• Create ‘M’ shape with fingers for low shape
• High catch, create ‘W’ shape with fingers
• Absorb velocity of the catch, by giving
• Position behind the ball
• Keep eyes on the ball
• Fingers spread apart to maximise surface area

Fielding
• Foot behind the ball to minimise chance of missing it
• Fingers spread to increase size
• Body low and centre of gravity close to the ground
• Watch the ball
Wicket keeping
• Positioned appropriate distance behind wickets depending on type of bowl
• Crouched positioned with low centre of gravity
• Fingers in diamond shape ready to catch the ball
• On the balls of the feet ready to dive in the direction of the ball
• Watch the ball into the gloves and ensure it is wrapped up quickly